Since both the A/S and the G/W will be transported in a custom 18-wheeler to a private spot on the the Big Hole River in Montana for a few weekends annually, I think we needn't worry about A/C or towing prowess overmuch.

Thats kookie.. I mean its nice but.. you could build a lot of AS for 50k

How many? Considering the average restoration takes a professional shop 1200 hours+ how many could you actually build?(the hobby builder or shade tree restorer will easily triple that number of hours)
Even at the current bid of $60k it is a huge bargain for what it must have actually cost to build.

Also, all you bad mouthing Ovris must not actually fish. Well, maybe you fish, but you must not actually catch, because Orvis equipment ROCKS! Their flies and lures are pure fish magnets.

Timeless has an offering of buying a new "shell" from Airstream and doing the interior on a custom basis.

I wonder if anyone has any idea what it would cost to have timeless do a custom say 30' new AS? My guess is $150K+????

They are true craftsman and my guess is it would be expensive.

I would also like to hear their thoughts on quality and durability improvements that AS could make to improve their offerings. Especially in the floor/belly pan area and perhaps regarding the corrosion issue?? They spend much of their time taking apart the messes that happen in and below the floor.

Very nice trailer inside with all the wood, counter tops, stove, etc.. etc.. etc.. along with what appears to be a holding tank area hanging below the mid-section adding a bunch of weight to a 50's trailers.

I hope the frame was either replaced or beefed up to handle the extra load.

If you were to pay for a job like this, 75K-100K comes to mind real quick.

How many? Considering the average restoration takes a professional shop 1200 hours+ how many could you actually build?(the hobby builder or shade tree restorer will easily triple that number of hours)
Even at the current bid of $60k it is a huge bargain for what it must have actually cost to build.

Also, all you bad mouthing Ovris must not actually fish. Well, maybe you fish, but you must not actually catch, because Orvis equipment ROCKS! Their flies and lures are pure fish magnets.

Just my never humble opinion.

You misunderstood what I said. Not plural. I did not mean you could build say 5 airstreams. My point was if I had 50k in cash and a stack of parts catalogs I could build myself " a whole lot of airstream " and then I said it was nice. Not the way I would want it but indeed nice.

Also, all you bad mouthing Ovris must not actually fish. Well, maybe you fish, but you must not actually catch, because Orvis equipment ROCKS! Their flies and lures are pure fish magnets.

Don't think anyone here said Orvis provides low quality goods or service. I have many Items from them that I am quite happy to own. However, they are in essence a "luxury" retailer. By definition, luxury reatilers seek exlusivity for their brand and that's OK, it just means that their products do not suit everyone's taste.

I'm sure the fine folks at Orvis are familiar with the sound sticker shock, and have learned to deal with it.

I really like my Orvis rods, reels, clothes. The reality still exists that my college roomate could still outfish me and my Hydros rig with a shoe lace tied to a Zebco Snoopy rod. That clearly says more about me than Orvis.

Back to the trailer. It does make me wonder what the price differential is between a moderate level TTT restoration vs. the MSRP on a new build. I suspect the two may be approaching each other, while the quality may be worlds apart.